Archive for March, 2011

Please join Hogs Haven and I tonight at 8pm on Pickled Hogs Radio. Our special guest for Episode 5 will be one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, Mr. Neal Olkewicz. We’ll be talking to Neal about his playing days, the Redskins/Cowboys rivalry, the NFL lockout situation from a former players perspective and much more. We will also be covering other Redskins topics and will be opening up the phone lines to listener calls…that means you!

This is part 5 in a series of posts in which I’ll list my choices for the Redskins all-time best and worst players at each position. Agree, disagree? Let me know in the comments. Today we cover Cornerbacks, next up is the Safety position.

Worst

#5 – Carlos Rogers

In 6 seasons he’s totaled 8 INT’s and 3 times as many drops. Truth be told he probably doesn’t deserve to be on this list, he’s a decent corner. But, he was the 9th overall pick in the 2005 draft and he hasn’t lived up to that billing. He also makes this list for all the anger he’s caused me over the last 6 seasons.

Couldn't find a picture of Harrison, this popped up when I googled it.

#4 – Lloyd Harrison

Chosen in the 3rd round of the 2000 draft, Harrison appeared in a grand total of 2 games during the 2000 season. He was cut before the 2001 season and has as many career tackles and passes defended as I do as a Redskin, which is to say NONE.

#3 – Brian Davis

I hate to profile here, but the Redskins spent 2nd round picks on white Cornerbacks in both the 1985 and 87’ drafts. I mean seriously, how many white Cornerbacks are running around the NFL? Davis was the 87’ pick, as the Redskins clearly didn’t learn anything from 85’ (see #1 on this list). Davis would win a Super Bowl and did have a decent 89’ season, but I remember him getting beat on the reg.

#2 – Deion Sanders

Deion was clearly past his “prime time” when he signed stole money from the Redskins. No big plays, no big returns. And he stole, literally stole $$…he was the original Albert Haynesworth. I hated Deion before he came to Washington and my hate only intensified after his tenure. He looks like a gremlin.

A 1st, a 2nd and Joe Washington for this guy ^^

#1 – Tory Nixon

Our original “white man can’t cover” was the Skins 2nd round pick in 1985. It would be bad enough if we only blew a 2nd round pick on Nixon, however…the Redskins traded Joe Washington and their 1986 1st round pick for the right to draft Nixon. Nixon would never play a regular season game as a Redskin. He was continuously beat for long TD’s in the pre-season and called out by Joe Gibbs as not having a “working attitude.” The Redskins would trade him to the 49ers before the season for a 6th round pick. To recap, that ended up being a 1st rounder, 2nd rounder and Joe Washington for a 6th round pick…Ouch!!

Best

#5 – Mike Bass

Bass never missed a game during his 7 year Redskins career. He had 30 interceptions (4th all-time) including 8 in 1971.

#4 – Joe Lavender

Lavender played in 99 games from 1976-1982 for the Redskins, intercepting 29 balls. Lavender earned back-to-back Pro Bowls during the 79-80’ seasons and is a Super Bowl Champion.

#3 – Champ Bailey

Bailey only played 5 seasons for the Redskins from 1999-2003, but he certainly made his mark. Bailey was a 4-time Pro Bowler and shutdown corner during his tenure. He’s a certain first ballot Hall of Famer. The question is…if he remained a Redskin for his entire career would you rank him higher than Green?

#2 – Pat Fischer

Fischer played 10 seasons with the Redskins and appeared in 126 games. He earned a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection during his tenure.

#1 – Darrell Green

Green played 20 seasons and 295 games as a Redskin! Hall of Famer, 2-time Super Bowl Champion, 7-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. Easy selection.

You're fired! I'm going to win 5 Super Bowls in the next decade, just wait and see!

Norv Turner. Say it out loud, Norv Turner. Just saying his name makes most Redskins fans want to shake their heads in shame and start a discussion about how bad he was…something Charger fans are currently doing on a regular basis. But, maybe it’s time we step back and ask ourselves…was Norv really that bad?

Well, the simple answer is probably yes. But, if you take a look at the numbers and the history of the Redskins in the 10 seasons since Norv’s departure, he’s actually looking like pretty damn good. Here’s some facts you need to consider:

Turner and Joe Gibbs are the only Redskins coaches to lead the team to the playoffs in the last 33 years. Turner and Gibbs are also the only coaches to have winning seasons during that time.

In Turner’s 6 full seasons the Redskins never scored less than 319 points. In the 10 seasons since, the Redskins have exceeded 319 pts just 2 times.

Turner led the Redskins to 3 winning seasons during his tenure, in the 10 seasons since the Redskins have just 2 winning seasons.

The Redskins have scored less points than their opponents in EVERY season under head coaches Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier, Jim Zorn and Mike Shanahan. Under Turner the Redskins scored more points than their opponent 4 times.

Norv is the only Redskins coach to lead the team to the NFC East title in the last 20 years!

Norv coached a journeyman (Brad Johnson) and a 7th round draft pick (Gus Frerotte) to Pro Bowl selections at the QB position during his time in DC. In the 10 years since Turner’s departure no Redskins QB has made the Pro Bowl.

This post is proof in point that we need the lock out to end ASAP. I’m reaching so much I’ve turned Norv Turner into Vince Lombardi!

This is part 4 in a series of posts in which I’ll list my choices for the Redskins all-time best and worst players at each position. Agree, disagree? Let me know in the comments. Today we cover Offensive Lineman, next up are the Tight Ends. Oh, one other thing…you won’t find Jeff Bostic on my list even though he should probably be on it. You won’t find Jeff Bostic on this list because Jeff Bostic is a DICK.

Worst

#5 – Fill in the blank

So many to choose from it’s tough to narrow it down. Shar Pourdanesh, Jim Molinaro, Joe Patton, Matt Elliott and Kili Lefotu are a few that come to mind.

#4 – Levi Jones

How Jason Campbell made it thru the 2009 season is unknown to me. A makeshift line of undrafted free agents and unwanted free agents and Levi was the worst. The way he played was beyond words, I’m convinced I would’ve done a better job. I hope Joey Porter is giving him another beat down somewhere.

#3 – Chad Rinehart

We used a 3rd round draft pick on him in 2008 and we got 1 DWI and 4 games played to show for it.

#2 – Mo Elewonibi

Another 3rd round pick down the drain. Elewonibi was a former Outland Trophy winner who couldn’t even find his was onto the field his first 2 years. He played sparingly over 4 seasons before the Redskins let him go…at least it’s fun to say his name.

#1 – Andre Johnson

We drafted Johnson in the 1st round of the 1996 draft and he never dressed for a game for us! Deactivated for all 16 games in 1996 and cut in 1997.

Best

#5 – Chris Samuels

He was a rock at left tackle for a decade, playing in 141 games and 6 Pro Bowls.

#4 – Len Hauss

Before my time but you can’t deny the fact he played more games as an offensive lineman (196) than any other Redskin. 5-time Pro Bowler.

#3 – Jim Lachey

For a period of time in the late 80’s early 90’s, he may have been the best offensive tackle in the NFL. 3-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All Pro and Super Bowl champion.

#2 – Joe Jacoby

A case can be made for him being #1 on this list. He played in 170 career games as a Redskin, was a 4-time Pro Bowler, 2-time All-Pro and 3-time Super Bowl champion. Also 2nd team on the NFL’s 80’s All Decade team.

#1 – Russ Grimm

His recent Hall of Fame selection gives him the nod here over Jacoby. 4 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections and 3-time Super Bowl Champion. 1st team on the NFL’s 80’s All Decade team.

Reed is the Honorary Chairman of the Northern Virginia Kidney Walk on Sunday April 3 in Reston, VA. Please visit the Team Reed Doughty page to donate, sign up to walk with Reed’s team and for more event details. Reed has set what I feel is a modest goal of $1,000 to raise for this event. I have contributed a small amount to kick start his fundraising efforts, please do the same if you’re able to do so. I know that the strong fan base of the Redskins can join together to help Reed achieve his goal.

Towards the end of the show Reed requested to speak directly to the fans to address the CBA/lockout situation, here’s what he had to say:

I’d like to say one more thing to the fans. That we just appreciate all the fan support and know that no fan is winning in this battle between (players/NFL) and there’s not going to be a winner in the media as well. You know I was at Bible study this morning talking to a couple of people who had lost their jobs and I understand there’s a real sense of the economy and people that are really down on their luck. So we just appreciate the fans for support and we know that there’s a lot of people worse off than us. You know, and I just want to say we appreciate all those people that support us and hopefully we can get this thing turned around.

Reed has been a Redskin for 5 seasons now and I’ve always appreciated how he plays the game. He plays with heart and leaves eveything on the field, he’s also a class-act off the field. Reed’s also a pending free agent who may not be back with the burgundy and gold. I hope that’s not the case and we haven’t seen the last of #37.

In case you didn’t know I’ve collaborated with Ken and Kevin from HogsHaven to start a “radio” show. We’ve gained some street cred by having Phillip Daniels, Robert Henson and Chris Cooley as our guests on out first 2 shows. We basically do a round table discussion of Redskins topics with our brand of humor and have on a current/former Redskin as well. Our goal moving forward is to take calls from our listeners and get them heavily involved, so listen in and call in when we open the lines. Tonight’s guest is Reed Doughty, the show starts at 9PM…we like going head to head with Modern Family.